Someone in your life — a gym buddy, an uncle, a WhatsApp group — has told you about shilajit. Maybe they called it “Indian Viagra.” Maybe they said it’s the reason men in the Himalayas live to 100 with the energy of men half their age. Maybe you saw an Instagram ad with a before-and-after that looked too good to be true.

It was too good to be true. But that doesn’t mean shilajit is worthless. The truth is more nuanced, less exciting, and more useful than the marketing.

Let’s look at what shilajit actually is, what the clinical research shows, and what you should realistically expect if you try it.

What is shilajit, exactly?

Shilajit is a sticky, tar-like substance found in the rocks of the Himalayas, Altai Mountains, Caucasus, and other high mountain ranges. It forms over centuries from the slow decomposition of plant matter compressed between layers of rock. When summer heat warms the mountains, this dark resin seeps out from cracks in the rocks.

It’s not a plant extract. It’s not an animal product. It’s essentially a mineral pitch — a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds produced by geological and biological processes over hundreds of years.

The key active component is fulvic acid, which makes up about 60-80% of the bioactive compounds in purified shilajit. Fulvic acid is a potent antioxidant and may help the body absorb other nutrients more effectively. Shilajit also contains over 84 minerals in ionic form, including iron, zinc, magnesium, and selenium — all of which matter for men’s health [1].

In Ayurveda, shilajit is classified as a rasayana (rejuvenator) and holds almost legendary status. The Charaka Samhita, one of the foundational Ayurvedic texts, says there is no disease on earth that cannot be treated by shilajit when administered properly. That’s a big claim. Let’s see what modern research has found.

The testosterone evidence

The study that launched a thousand supplement ads is Pandit et al. (2016). This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on 96 healthy men (ages 45-55) who took 250mg of purified shilajit twice daily for 90 days.

Results: Total testosterone increased by 20.45% compared to baseline, and free testosterone increased by 19.14%. DHEA, a testosterone precursor, also showed a slight but non-significant increase. The placebo group saw no meaningful changes [2].

These are decent numbers. But context matters:

  • The participants were middle-aged men (45-55), an age when testosterone naturally starts declining. Younger men might see different results.
  • The sample size was 96 men. That’s not tiny, but it’s not large enough to be definitive.
  • This is essentially one study. The backbone of the testosterone claim for shilajit rests on this single trial. In medicine, a single positive study is a starting point, not proof.
  • The study was published in Andrologia, a legitimate journal, but the research was partly supported by Natreon Inc., a company that manufactures a patented shilajit extract (PrimaVie). Industry funding doesn’t invalidate results, but it’s a flag.

Honest takeaway: There’s preliminary evidence that shilajit may modestly increase testosterone in middle-aged men. But we need more independent, larger studies to be confident. One study is not a foundation you should bet your health on.

The sperm quality evidence

Biswas et al. (2010) studied 60 infertile men who took 100mg of processed shilajit twice daily for 90 days. They found a 61.4% increase in total sperm count, a 12.4-17.4% increase in sperm motility, and a 18.7% increase in serum testosterone. Malondialdehyde (a marker of oxidative stress in semen) decreased significantly [3].

An earlier study by Biswas et al. (2009) on 28 oligospermic (low sperm count) men found similar improvements in sperm parameters and reductions in oxidative stress with shilajit supplementation over 90 days [4].

These results are encouraging, particularly the sperm motility improvements, which are relevant for men trying to conceive. The antioxidant mechanism makes biological sense — fulvic acid’s ability to reduce oxidative stress in seminal fluid could genuinely protect sperm.

But again — small studies, specific populations (infertile men), and limited replication. We’re looking at promising signals, not definitive proof.

What about ED and sexual performance?

Let’s be direct: there are no published clinical trials specifically testing shilajit as a treatment for erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation.

None.

Every claim you see about shilajit “curing ED” or “lasting longer in bed” is extrapolated from the testosterone data, traditional use, or pure marketing invention. The reasoning goes: “shilajit may raise testosterone a bit, testosterone is involved in sexual function, therefore shilajit fixes sexual problems.” That logic has more holes than a sieve.

Many men with ED have perfectly normal testosterone. PE is primarily a neurological and psychological issue, not a testosterone deficiency. Even if shilajit gives you a modest testosterone bump, that doesn’t translate to fixing erection or timing problems.

Could it help your overall energy, vitality, and sense of wellbeing in a way that indirectly supports your sex life? Maybe. Some men report feeling more energetic and having better libido. But that’s anecdotal, and it’s a long way from the miracle claims in the ads.

The quality control problem — this one is serious

Here’s something the supplement brands don’t want to talk about: shilajit has a significant contamination problem.

Because it’s a geological substance that seeps from rocks, raw shilajit can contain heavy metals — arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium — at levels that are genuinely dangerous with regular consumption. An analysis of commercially available Ayurvedic products found that many exceeded safe limits for heavy metals [5].

This isn’t a theoretical concern. There have been documented cases of lead poisoning from contaminated shilajit products. The FDA has issued warnings about specific shilajit supplements containing elevated lead levels [6].

The problem is compounded in India, where:

  • Supplement regulation is weak compared to pharmaceuticals
  • “Pure Himalayan shilajit” sold at roadside stalls or through informal channels is often unprocessed and untested
  • Even some packaged products from established brands may not have adequate heavy metal testing
  • Counterfeit products are common — some “shilajit” contains little to no actual shilajit

This is the single most important thing to know about shilajit. Even if the health benefits are real, they’re meaningless if the product you’re taking is contaminated with lead or mercury.

The hype machine

Let’s talk about why shilajit marketing is so aggressive and what to watch out for.

Red flags in shilajit ads:

  • “Increases testosterone by 500%!” — No study has ever shown anything close to this.
  • “Ancient secret of Himalayan monks for sexual stamina” — Romantic storytelling, not evidence.
  • Before-and-after physique photos — Shilajit doesn’t build muscle in any visible way.
  • “Cures erectile dysfunction naturally” — No clinical trial supports this claim.
  • Testimonials from “doctors” who happen to have affiliate links — This is advertising, not medicine.

The shilajit market in India is estimated to be worth hundreds of crores, and it’s growing fast. Where there’s that much money, there’s that much incentive to exaggerate. The people selling you shilajit have a financial interest in you believing it does everything. The researchers studying it are saying something far more cautious.

The Ayurvedic perspective

In Ayurveda, shilajit is considered one of the most powerful substances in the pharmacopeia. It’s described as a yoga vahi — a substance that enhances the properties of other medicines taken with it. It’s traditionally used to improve ojas (vital energy), strengthen dhatus (bodily tissues), and treat prameha (urinary/reproductive disorders).

This traditional knowledge deserves respect. Ayurvedic practitioners observed effects over centuries that modern science is only beginning to investigate. The antioxidant properties, the mineral content, the potential hormonal effects — these all have plausible biological mechanisms that align with traditional observations.

But respect for tradition doesn’t mean accepting every traditional claim uncritically. The Ayurvedic texts were written in a time before controlled trials, placebo effects were understood, or contamination could be measured. The tradition gives us hypotheses worth testing. Some will be validated. Some won’t. That’s not disrespectful — that’s how knowledge grows.

The best approach is to hold both frameworks: the Ayurvedic tradition that identified shilajit as potentially valuable, and the scientific method that helps us figure out exactly how valuable, for whom, and at what cost.

Practical guidance if you want to try it

If you’ve read all of the above and still want to give shilajit a try — fair enough. Here’s how to do it sensibly.

Dosage: Most studies used 250-500mg of purified shilajit daily, typically split into two doses. Don’t assume more is better. Higher doses haven’t been studied and increase contamination risk.

What to buy:

  • Look for purified shilajit that explicitly states it has been tested for heavy metals
  • Brands that provide third-party Certificates of Analysis (CoA) for each batch
  • Standardized products that list fulvic acid content (50% or higher is standard for quality extracts)
  • PrimaVie is the patented extract used in the Pandit 2016 study — it’s one option with at least some research behind it
  • Avoid raw, unprocessed shilajit resin from unverified sources, no matter how “authentic” the seller claims it is

Safety considerations:

  • Don’t take it if you have gout or high uric acid (shilajit can increase uric acid levels)
  • Avoid if you have hemochromatosis or iron overload conditions
  • If you’re on blood pressure or diabetes medications, consult your doctor — interactions are possible
  • Stop use and see a doctor if you develop nausea, dizziness, or unusual fatigue
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid it (though this article is for men, your partner should know)

Duration: Give it 8-12 weeks before evaluating. The studies ran for 90 days, and effects — if they happen at all — are gradual.

What to monitor: If you’re taking it for testosterone or fertility reasons, get baseline blood work done before you start and retest after 90 days. That’s the only way to know if it’s actually doing anything for you specifically. Subjective “I feel more energetic” is too easily explained by placebo effect and confirmation bias.

What shilajit is not

It’s not a substitute for medical treatment. If you have diagnosed low testosterone, a urologist’s treatment plan will do more than shilajit. If you have ED, see a doctor. If you have fertility issues, get proper evaluation — shilajit might be a complement to treatment, not a replacement for it.

It’s not a performance enhancer in the way ads suggest. You’re not going to take shilajit and suddenly last an hour in bed. That’s not how biology works.

It’s not risk-free. The heavy metal issue is real and present, especially in the loosely regulated Indian supplement market.

And it’s not proven. We have preliminary, suggestive evidence from small trials. That’s it. Promising, but not proven.

Where this leaves you

Shilajit is a traditional Ayurvedic substance with a small but growing body of scientific research behind it. There’s preliminary evidence it may modestly increase testosterone in middle-aged men and improve sperm parameters in infertile men. The antioxidant properties of its fulvic acid content are biologically plausible mechanisms for these effects.

But the evidence is thin — a handful of small studies, some industry-funded, none replicated at scale. There are no clinical trials showing it treats ED, PE, or any specific sexual dysfunction. And the contamination risk with heavy metals is a genuine safety concern that most marketing conveniently ignores.

If you want to try it: buy a purified, lab-tested product from a reputable source. Take 300-500mg daily for at least 90 days. Get blood work before and after. Keep your expectations modest.

If you have an actual sexual health problem that’s affecting your life or relationship: see a doctor. Shilajit is not treatment. It’s a supplement with preliminary promise and significant hype. Knowing the difference between those two things will save you money, time, and disappointment.

For other traditional supplements with more clinical evidence, see our review of ashwagandha for sexual health. If performance anxiety is what’s really going on, that’s a different (and very treatable) problem.

References:

[1] Carrasco-Gallardo C, et al. (2012). Shilajit: A Natural Phytocomplex with Potential Procognitive Activity. International Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 2012: 674142.

[2] Pandit S, et al. (2016). Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers. Andrologia, 48(5): 570-575.

[3] Biswas TK, et al. (2010). Clinical evaluation of spermatogenic activity of processed Shilajit in oligospermia. Andrologia, 42(1): 48-56.

[4] Biswas TK, et al. (2009). Effect of processed shilajit on oxidative stress and spermatogenesis in oligospermic patients. Andrologia, 41(5): 310-315.

[5] Saper RB, et al. (2008). Lead, Mercury, and Arsenic in US- and Indian-Manufactured Ayurvedic Medicines Sold via the Internet. JAMA, 300(8): 915-923.

[6] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Safety Alerts for Human Medical Products — Shilajit-containing supplements. Various dates.

[7] Wilson E, et al. (2011). Review on shilajit used in traditional Indian medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 136(1): 1-9.